Russian aggression boosts Ukrainian defence industry

On 21 February, Ukrainian state defence conglomerate Ukroboronprom reported a profit of $55 million, compared to a net loss of $33 million in 2014. The improvements in the conglomerate, which gathers more than 130 defence-related companies, came after the start of the 2014 Russian aggression in Donbass, as Ukraine's army started its reorganisation, including placing orders at Ukroboronprom.

Before 2014, Ukrainian defence companies received no orders from the military, and as a result, half of them closed. In the last three years, Ukroboronprom replaced half of its directors, launched import-substitution programs for overcoming dependence on Russian components and adopted NATO standards. The military-industrial complex managed to create thousands of jobs, also hiring 600 graduates. Ukroboronprom delivered 18,615 pieces of weaponry and equipment to the military, including armoured vehicles, planes, helicopters, missiles, rocket launchers, etc. Since 2014, Ukraine has improved its position relative to Russia, also thanks to US adopting a firmer policy of arms support, while the previous administration relied on the reluctant Franco-German tandem that opposed Ukraine's NATO bid in 2008.